Watches come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. The different numbers of watch styles and watchmakers have led to a robust watch collection market. Collectors look for interesting, unique, and rare watches to add to the growing treasure troves of watch memorabilia. Below is a brief guide to some of the rarest and interesting watches around the world. This is part one of a two-part post that will be available in the next few weeks!
1. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman Oyster Sotto
Brand/Maker: Rolex
Year Made: 1969
Approx. Price Range: $400,000-$1,500,000
Our first watch is unsurprisingly a Rolex, one of the most sought-after watch brands in the world has of course one of the most sought-after watches. There are around only 20 of these beautiful watches in the world today. These watches are so rare that collectors become extremely excited when a new sample is discovered.
2. Patek Phillipe Reference 2499
Brand/Maker: Patek Philippe
Year Made: 1950-1960
Approx. Price Range: $800,000-1,500,000
Like the Rolex earlier, this gorgeous watch will set you back a hefty amount. This is sometimes listed as the most sought-after watch of all time depending on the collector. Less than four dozen first series reference 2499 was made with two other series following in the years after. The design of the calendar and day is a major beautiful aspect of this amazing watch.
3. Graff Diamonds Hallucination
Brand/Maker: Graff Diamonds
Year Made: 2014
Price: $55,000,000
Maybe not what one would say is the most normal or usual watch, the Graff Diamonds Hallucination does still tell time. Though it might be hard considering the number of diamonds surrounding the watch face! There are over 110 carats of colorful diamonds in the watch.
4. Breguet Marie Antoinette Grand Complication Pocket Watch
Brand/Maker: Breguet
Year Made: (commissioned) 1783, (completed) 1827
Price: $30,000,000
This watch has a fascinating history. On top of its beautiful design and the hand-wound movement, the watch was actually made for the French Monarch Marie Antoinette. It was commissioned by an admirer of the French queen. Interestingly the queen never got her hands on the watch as it was completed in 1827 34 years after she died.
5. Rolex Reference 4113 Split Second Chronograph
Brand/Maker: Rolex
Year Made: 1942
Approx. Price Range: $800,000-$1,600,000
Rounding out our list is another beautiful Rolex. Again, Rolex’s are some of the most sought after watches in the world, so it is unsurprising that this watch garners so much attention. This watch in particular is so rare that only 12 of these watches were actually made and given away as gifts. What makes them somehow even rarer, if that is possible, is that there are only 8 known watches out of the 10 around the world.